updated 10:33 p.m. ET Jan. 13, 2008

IRVING, Texas - Don’t blame the Jessica Jinx this time.

One month after fans considered her attendance the reason for a bad game by her boyfriend, Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, the pop singer-actress wasn’t believed to be at Texas Stadium on Sunday when Dallas was upset 21-17 by the New York Giants.

Then again, folks might have a new reason for blaming her — those touchy-feely pictures of the couple cavorting in Mexico last weekend that surfaced soon after and created quite a stir.

“I’ll take the blame and I’ll take the criticism here,” Romo said. “That’s why we’re put in these positions.”

There were plenty of blonde women in the stands wearing pink Romo jerseys Sunday, but the woman who made them famous wasn’t believed to be among them. Her publicist said earlier in the week she was working on a new album and would not be at the game.

On Dec. 16, Simpson proudly displayed her shirt to television cameras during the Cowboys’ game against Philadelphia. Romo injured his throwing thumb and had one of his worst games of the season that day. What they didn’t know — or didn’t care about — was that she’d attended other Cowboys games and he played just fine.

Then came the fuss about Romo’s trip to Mexico leading up to the Giants game.

“I don’t live with regrets,” Romo said. “I’m content in my own skin. If I try and be a good person and I’m strong enough in my faith, then I feel like I’m doing it the right way.”

Romo’s teammates believed the trip was a non-issue — especially star receiver Terrell Owens.

Owens, who jokingly piled on those blaming Simpson for Romo’s woes after the Eagles game, broke down in tears when he met with reporters after the game.

“This is not about Tony. You guys can point the finger at him, you can talk about the vacation, and if you do that, it’s really unfair,” Owens said, his voice cracking. “It’s really unfair. That’s my teammate. That’s my quarterback. You guys do that, it’s not fair. We lost as a team. We lost as a team, man.”

MORE FROM NFL

NFL Section Front

Favre’s nearly perfect day ensures Vikings roll   Saints start slow, but maintain perfect record Another late mistake helps Colts win again   Chiefs pull off K.C. masterpiece, stun Steelers   Giants boot Falcons in OT, stop 4-game slide   Sluggish Cowboys escape against Redskins   Who knew? Lions beat Browns in a shootout T.O.’s huge game not enough in Fewell’s debut Packers survive 49ers Live: Updates on NFL Week 11 action   NFL Section Front   Add NFL headlines to your news reader: